Queensland has recorded 23,630 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours with almost half of the cases reported from positive rapid antigen tests.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today's case numbers include 10,182 positive rapid antigen test results.
Three people, including two people in their 70s and one in their 60s, have died after testing positive for the virus.
LIVE UPDATES: Death toll rises in NSW and Victoria as cases surge
https://twitter.com/PeterFegan9/status/1481782461625675776None of the people who died were vaccinated.
Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said there are now 589 in hospital, including 41 people in ICU and 15 on ventilators.
"The 589 figure is up from 586 yesterday, and the figure of 41 in ICU is up from 26 yesterday," he said.
"There's a steady increase of the number of patients in hospital, not an explosive increase.
"There seems to be particular growth in Brisbane south of the river."
READ MORE: Queen strips Prince Andrew of military titles and royal roles
More workers exempt from close contact rules
Ms Palaszczuk said telecommunications, media and broadcast workers will be added to the list of workers who are exempt from close contact rules.
"If you recall, we announced ours a couple of days beforehand, it essentially mirrors basically the ones we have generally with the exception of telecommunications, media and broadcast and we will be adding those to the list," she said.
These workers will now only need to receive a negative rapid antigen test result before returning to work.
It comes after the announcement from National Cabinet yesterday agreeing to allow certain workers to be exempt from close contact isolation to prevent supply chain disruptions.
READ MORE: Snake catcher's warning for pet owners after grim find
'We don't know what variant is around the corner'
Ms Palaszczuk was asked during today's press conference about what will happen to the Toowoomba Wellcamp quarantine facility as the state reaches 90 per cent fully vaccinated.
"Don't forget we still have people who fly in who are not vaccinated, we don't know what variant is around the corner," she said.
"We are prepared, we have a quarantine facility that is absolutely going to be prepared for Queensland, if we need it and when we need it."
